Spy Games

I’m normally inclined towards the festive and colorful — I favor bright, graphic prints; pops of geranium red; shocking pink dresses; happy, sunny colors; all things feminine.  But recently {perhaps due to the interminable winter weather?}, I’ve been channeling my inner vamp by wearing lots of black and dialing up the fierceness factor with my footwear.

Something like the impossibly high heels pictured above would be right up my alley right now.  {Holy moly.   They double as a built-in line of personal defense.}  And P.S.: Don’t worry, mom, I’m not plunging off the deep end; I won’t show up to our weekly lunch date looking like Dita Von Teese.  But the aesthetic I’m drawn to at the moment is something a touch sleeker, more polished, a bit…international-woman-of-mystery-esque.  Side bar: Something about this aesthetic is laughably unattainable for me, since I’m petite and highly unintimidating, but — let’s roll with it, get in touch with our inner Kardashians, and feign involvement in super-important undercover mission impossibles.  First up on the must-have list: some don’t-mess-with-Texas shades.  I’ve been coveting these House of Harlows ($125,  ShopTheTrendBoutique) for awhile — love the glam factor of the gold rim.

Perfect for lux-ing up an all-black get-up revolving around a slim-fit blazer (Alexander Wang, $175, Farfetch), a high-contrast white-on-black blouse (Moschino, $525, Net-A-Porter), and some skinnies:

Finish with some show-stopping sculpted-heel peeptoes (Casadei, $330, Farfetch):

Hair should be uber-straight, jewelry should be heavy and onyx-esque (something like these lovely Ben-Amun studs would be perfecto– $145, Charm and Chain), and bags should be sleek and slightly edgy , a la this Balenciaga tote ($1,250, Balenciaga):

Alternately, contrast the drapiness of a black top ($246, Farfetch) with the heaviness of a tribal-style bib necklace ($34, Mango) and the twigginess of your skinnies:

Finish with these un.be.lievable cut-out booties — they look like Nicholas Kirkwoods, one of Olivia Palermo’s favored labels (she owns these ones, likely among many others, and I sweat them so badly), but they ring in at a fraction of the price — yahoo! (Lovely People, $130, Moxsie):

Pairs perfectly with this roomy, luxe-looking Givenchy bag (seriously.  Looks like they were M.F.E.O. — $1,968, Matches):

These Yochi starburst studs  ($33, Yochi NY) and a thick enamel bangle ($78, Isabel Harvey) complete the look:

A trim leather jacket might be just the ticket for balancing out / reigning in the shapelessness of the tee (how yummy is this caramel-hued drape-front style by fashion editor darling Helmut Lang?! — $1,325, Barney’s):

I’ve never owned a leather jacket, but if I were to make the investment, that would be my top pick.  And if we’re talking dream wardrobe, how much would you live in this Balenciaga dress ($739, Matches), cinched at the waist with a lovely skinny camel belt?!  Perfect with these statement-making earrings ($53, Yochi):

I’d finish with one of the iconic Alexander McQueen skull-print scarves and a pair of nude platform pumps (f.i.e.r.c.e. — $245, Nordstrom):

Ideal for a sleek work outfit (or, you know, undercover international espionage), especially paired with this snakeskin iPad case ($145, Kooba), which could be safely stored in this sleek tote ($650, CCSkye):

Meanwhile, this leopard-print dress ($145, TopShop) and some serious earrings ($72, Yochi) —

would be bellissima with these kickin’ heels ($177, Endless) and a structured little clutch (Alexander McQueen, $428, TheOutnet):

Alternately, this structural cut-out sheath dress (Alice and Olivia, $330, Singer22) would be ideal with a statement necklace (Fiona Paxton, $448, ShopKitson):

Perfect with a quilted chain-handle bag ($625, DVF) and some classic Louboutins ($595, Net-A-Porter):

Some oversized Jackie O.-style shades (Gucci, $245, Nordstrom) and a classic Burberry trench seal.the.deal ($1,095, Net-A-Porter — note: get the sleek detective look for less with this on-point $248 Madewell version):

Finally, a jet-black boucle sweater dress (Adam, $222, TheOutnet) would be chic for weekend activities / museum visiting / gathering intel from “the bad guys” when paired with some statement earrings ($125, Suzanna Dai), black tights, and some fierce mid-calf boots ($165, TheOutnet):

I’d add a chain-accented tote (on sale for $417, Tory Burch):

If nothing else, take a page our of Kim Kardashian’s book  (note that she’s sporting the Balenciaga bag featured above) and test drive with some unexpected, edgy footwear

…Woah.  They’re like half the height of her bod.  Whether you pick a studded pump ($118, Vince Camuto), a buckled bootie (Joie, $217, Endless), or a suede mid-calf boot (a pick semi-inspired by yesterday’s chic pea of the day, the authoress of Blog de Betty, who wore a comparable style by the same designer in her last post — Giuseppe Zanotti, on sale for $438, Shop Zoe), you’ll be owning it.

Nothing like a fierce stiletto to help you crack a Russian spy ring.  {…What?}  All cheesy spy jokes aside: these looks are seirously speaking to me nowadays, as I work towards banishing the winter blahs.  I’m literally wearing head-to-toe black today, complete with my “gorilla jacket.”  What’s on your must-wear list these days?!